(a) General rule.--Repairs and alterations to a boiler or unfired pressure vessel shall be made in accordance with the edition of the code currently adopted by the department at the time of the repair or alteration. If it is not technically feasible to repair or alter the boiler or unfired pressure vessel to the current code, the owner may use the code in effect at the time the boiler or unfired pressure vessel was constructed. Any repair or alteration shall be performed by a person holding a National Board inspection code “R,” “VR” or “NR” repair certificate.

(b) Alternative repair or alteration guidelines.--The department may approve alternative repair or alteration guidelines for any boiler or unfired pressure vessel subject to section 7(b).¹